Physician Assistant - Thoracic Oncology Surgery

Responsibilities

Job Title: Advanced Practice Provider – Thoracic Surgery / Thoracic Oncology(Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner)Collaborating Physician: Abbas El-Sayed Abbas, MD – Chief of Thoracic Surgery, Catholic Health; Chief of Thoracic Oncology, Catholic Health Cancer Institute

 

Position Overview

 

Catholic Health of Long Island is seeking highly skilled and motivated Advanced Practice Providers (APPs)—Physician Assistants (PAs) or Nurse Practitioners (NPs)—to join our growing thoracic surgery and oncology team under the leadership of Dr. Abbas El-Sayed Abbas, an internationally recognized expert in minimally invasive and robotic thoracic surgery.

APPs will play a key role in delivering perioperative and longitudinal care for patients with thoracic malignancies and complex chest diseases, supporting advanced surgical techniques and a multidisciplinary, patient-centered approach within the Catholic Health Cancer Institute.

Key Responsibilities

 

Clinical Care & Surgical Support

• Deliver comprehensive perioperative care for patients undergoing thoracic surgical procedures, including lung, esophageal, mediastinal, and foregut surgeries.
• Obtain detailed medical histories, perform physical exams, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and contribute to individualized treatment planning.
• Serve as first or second assist in thoracic surgical procedures, including VATS and robotic-assisted surgeries (PAs or appropriately credentialed NPs).
• Coordinate preoperative workups including labs, imaging, and specialty consults.
• Participate in inpatient rounding, monitor postoperative recovery, and manage chest tubes, drains, and wounds.
• Provide outpatient follow-up care in thoracic oncology clinics, ensuring continuity of care across the patient journey.

Oncology & Multidisciplinary Collaboration

• Collaborate with specialists in oncology, pulmonology, radiology, pathology, and palliative care to ensure coordinated, comprehensive care.
• Actively engage in tumor boards, multidisciplinary case discussions, and care planning meetings.
• Educate patients and families on diagnoses, surgical and oncologic interventions, recovery expectations, and survivorship care.

Education & Research Support

• Mentor APP students, nursing staff, and new team members in thoracic surgery practices.
• Support clinical research efforts, quality improvement initiatives, and outcomes tracking within thoracic oncology.
• Assist with patient recruitment, data collection, and adherence to research protocols when applicable.

Administrative & Programmatic Contributions

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in the EMR, adhering to Catholic Health policies, regulatory standards, and payer requirements.
• Participate in the development and refinement of clinical pathways, protocols, and quality metrics.
• Support strategic growth of thoracic surgery and oncology services across the Catholic Health system.

Qualifications

For All Candidates (PAs and NPs):

• Strong clinical judgment, communication, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment.
• Commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care in alignment with Catholic Health’s mission.

Physician Assistant (PA) Requirements:

• Graduate of an accredited PA program with current NCCPA certification.
• Licensed as a PA in the State of New York.
• First-assist experience required; robotic surgery experience highly preferred.
• Minimum 2–3 years of surgical or oncology experience preferred.
• BLS and ACLS certification required.

Nurse Practitioner (NP) Requirements:

• Graduate of an accredited Nurse Practitioner program with current national certification (e.g., AANP, ANCC).
• Licensed as an NP in the State of New York with appropriate RN/NP licensure.
• Acute Care NP certification preferred (especially for inpatient or surgical focus).
• First-assist/OR experience preferred for NPs assisting in surgery; credentialing required for surgical support roles.
• Minimum 2–3 years of surgical, oncology, or thoracic care experience strongly preferred.
• BLS and ACLS certification required.

Pay Range

USD $69.54 - USD $93.00 /Hr.